The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-10-19
Death of Judge Elicit.

The death of Judge Henry I. Elicit,
which occurred most suddenly in Mem
phis in the forenoon of Saturday last,
deprives the country of one of its most
honored and illustrious citizens.
He had been selected to deliver the
Welcoming address to President Cleve-
land, and had just discharged that duty
IN the most creditable manner in the
presence OF an immense throng of patri-
otto men and women assembled in and
around Court Square, when, standing
with uncovered head to hear the re-
Spouse of the President, he suddenly
dropped into his chair and died within
few minutes.
Judge Elicit was a Northern man by
birth, but came TO Mississippi and set
tied at Port Gibson many years ago, and
soon became completely identified with
the people among whom he lived, and
imbibed all there was of strictly South
ern sentiment.
He was elected to Congress in 1916 to
fill out the unexpired term of Mr.. Da-
Wis, who had resigned, and was known
while member as 'the gentleman of
the House" He declined a renomina-
ton, because he was unable to support
his family in Washington, and was un-
willing to separated from them by so
long a journey Afterwards he was a
member of the State Senate for twelve
years, and was a member of the Seces
sion Convention.
In the fall of 1865 he was elected a
Judge of the High Court of Errors anl
Appeals, and took his sent on the bench
January ], 1866, the Court then being
composed of a. III. Handy, Chief Justice
and w. L. Harris and H. L. Elicit Associ
ates. He last appeared on the bench Of
that court June 10, 1867, on which day
there was an adjournment till the frs
Monday in August next ensuing. Their,
was no meeting of the court, however
till April 6, 1868, at which time the gen
tlemen who appeared in the places o
the distinguished jurists whom we hay'
named bore commissions from "Head
quarters Fourth Military District Mis-
sissippi and Arkansas" dated Vicksburg
February IS, 1868. 1t is scarcely neces
sary to say that gentleman with Judg
Ellett's splendid character and antece
dents could not and would not be
member of the court while the offic
was within the gift of General of tn
United States Army. He left his HON
in Mississippi and located for the praC
tice of his profession in Memphis, wher
he was successful. At the time of hi
death he was filling the Office of Chan
cellor, to which he had been nominate
by the Democracy by reclamation.
During a long and not uneventful lif
Judge Elicit has borne spotless charaC
ter. His integrity was above suspicion
and his moral attributes of the highes
and noblest order. To these qualities G
heart there were added a brilliant int
lect and the charms which inevitabl
and spontaneously spring from such
rare combination. He was a lovabl
man, and all loved him.
He performed well and nobly the dr
ties of life. His last public effort-tha
which, perhaps, cost him his life-th
address of welcome to the President
has been characterized by one who hear
it as equal to the highest, the mobiles
the most glorious requirements of tn
occasion"
Speaking of his death, the Avaiaacl
says:
1t was fit elimination TO a career which h:
been great and impressive and pure and lofty, e,
employing the harmonious blending of the worth
est attributes of the lawyer, the statesman, tn
judge the Christian gentleman.
The Appeal says:
Judge Elicit was an honorable. honest, Just an
God-fearng, good man-an example OF probity an
integrity, and OF good will to all men
These Just tributes describe MIN as h
was on earth, and assure us of what h
is in Heaven.